Welcome!
This is a blog showcasing flower photography. I always enjoy photographing blooms, as do many other photographers!

The rules for posting are simple!

1. Every Friday post a photo that includes one or more flowers.2. Please only post photos you have authority to use.3. Include a link to this blog in your post - http://floralfridayfoto.blogspot.com/4. Leave the link to your FloralFridayFoto post below on inlinkz.5. Visit other blogs listed ... comment & enjoy!

When to Post:inlinkz will be available every Thursday and will remain open until the next Wednesday.

Thursday, 27 February 2014

Xerochrysum bracteatum, commonly known as the golden everlasting or strawflower, is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to Australia. Described by Étienne Pierre Ventenat in 1803, it was known as Helichrysum bracteatum for many years before being transferred to a new genus Xerochrysum in 1990. It grows as a woody or herbaceous perennial or annual shrub up to a metre tall with green or grey leafy foliage. Golden yellow or white flowerheads are produced from spring to autumn; their distinctive feature is the papery bracts that resemble petals.

The species is widespread, growing in a variety of habitats across the country, from rainforest margins to deserts and subalpine areas. The golden everlasting serves as food for various larvae of lepidopterans (butterflies and moths), and adult butterflies, hoverflies, native bees, small beetles and grasshoppers visit the flower heads.

The golden everlasting has proven very adaptable to cultivation. It was propagated and developed in Germany in the 1850s, and annual cultivars in a host of colour forms from white to bronze to purple flowers became available. Many of these are still sold in mixed seed packs. In Australia, many cultivars are perennial shrubs, which have become popular garden plants. Sturdier, long-stemmed forms are used commercially in the cut flower industry.

Shown here is Xerochrysum 'Dargan Hill Monarch' was a natural form collected around 1.6 km inland from Cunningham's Gap in Southern Queensland in May 1961, and registered in February 1977. It is a low perennial shrub 60 to 80 cm high and 1.5 m across. The foliage is grey and the large flowers are 7–9 cm in diameter and golden yellow in colour. It grows best in full sun and fair drainage. Cuttings strike readily, and seed germinate well, although with the latter, seedlings may differ from the parent.

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Thursday, 20 February 2014

Dampiera linearis (Common Dampiera or Wedge-leaved Dampiera) is an erect perennial herb in the family Goodeniaceae. The species, which is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia, and grows to between 0.15 and 0.6 metres in height. It produces blue flowers between July and December in its native range. In cultivation, the species prefers a well-drained situation in full sun or light shade. It tolerates some dryness and moderate frost. The hybrid "True Blue" is shown here.

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Thursday, 13 February 2014

Gardeners limited in space can enjoy all the fun of rose growing by cultivating miniature roses in containers. They also adapt well to flowerbed edging, front-of-the-border socialising with perennials and annuals, and low hedges.

Miniature roses first came into being in the early 1930s as an accidental result of rose hybridising. Since then, master miniaturists have created many jewel-like varieties featuring perfectly shaped tiny blooms on clean, healthy plants that generally stay under 60 cm height.

Miniature roses respond to all the care basics of regular-size roses - deep irrigation, sunshine. and regular fertilising - but they do need extra winter protection in colder climates. To ensure the plant doesn't die back to the roots, in Zone 5 and below, bury the rose plant in a mound of soil.

Join me for Floral Friday Fotos by linking your flower photos below, and please leave a comment once you have done so!

Thursday, 6 February 2014

Lewisias are small, colourful flowering plants which are native to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Named after the US explorer Lieutenant Meriwether Lewis, these plants are wonderful for providing colour in rock crevices in a cool climate.

Lewisia cotyledon 'Elise' shown here flowers in the first season without a cold period and can be used as an annual for rockeries, beds and containers. The plant starts flowering 4-5 months after sowing and is a sturdy plant with attractive fleshy, succulent leaves with flowers all season long in shades of pastel pink, rose, salmon, orange, white and yellow, and bicolour patterns.

Join me for Floral Friday Fotos by linking your flower photos below, and please leave a comment once you have done so!